Years ago when I was quite new to Christian Science, I was a gym teacher. I was supervising a ballgame of older girls in the schoolyard. During one pitch, the batter swung the bat so hard that the bat left her hands, flew through the air, and hit my leg. I fell to the ground but quickly got up and told the girls to continue playing.
I had a very busy day with many lessons, and I didn't take time to pray about this, as Christian Scientists learn to do; I did not specifically deny the physical evidence of accident and injury with spiritual truth, which we have the God-given power to do. The leg started to swell and ache.
As soon as I got home, I turned to God. I read from the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I came across this statement: "Constant toil, deprivations, exposures, and all untoward conditions, if without sin, can be experienced without suffering. Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself" (Science and Health, p. 385). This was of great help to me because I had an adult training class that evening. I reasoned that this activity was honest and important, and therefore I had the divine right to complete it.
